Prince Philip's funeral: William and Harry reconciled, really?
Diana and Charles' sons attended their grandfather's funeral at a formal distance before exchanging a few words after the ceremony. Simple cordiality or announced reconciliation between the two brothers?
Only a few words exchanged, but a short conversation that sparks an avalanche of comments. Prince Philip's funeral has just ended this Saturday afternoon at Windsor Castle (England). The Queen is back in her Bentley, the other members of the royal family leave Saint George's Chapel on foot. These few steps are an opportunity for Harry and William to show themselves publicly outside of protocol. Should this be seen as a skilfully orchestrated staging in front of the cameras, a simple sign of appeasement between the two brothers in a solemn moment requiring restraint or the outline of a frank reconciliation?
Any sign of tension or rapprochement was scrutinized, as the event also marks Prince Harry's return to the Kingdom, for the first time since his thunderous withdrawal from the monarchy and his departure across the Atlantic. Pregnant with their second child, his wife, Meghan Markle, remained in the United States on the advice of her doctor. With, in the background, the shadow of accusations of racism and indifference on the part of some members of the Windsorships relayed in an interview with Oprah Winfrey.
Among the many opinions of observers and scholars of British royalty shared on social media, that of BBC journalist Allie Hodgkins-Brown tends to be rather optimistic. She perceives in this brief exchange "a rather relaxed tone", and the proof of a real "positivity" between the two sons of Diana and Charles. The body language of the two men during their short exchange betrays for Magali Menut, body language specialist and director of the European Institute of Synergology in Lyon (Rhône), "a more formal posture on the part of William and, for Harry, a desire to get closer to his brother ”. "When leaving the chapel, it's Harry who goes several times to his brother who repeatedly touches and readjusts his tie during the exchanges. This is a sign that he wishes to assert his authority. He also touches his forehead as if to show that he needs to think about how to act, that he is waiting to see how things can turn out with his brother. Still, both display a bodily flexibility which shows that they each want to reconnect. "
An hour and a half earlier, while the coffin of Prince Philip has just taken place on the Land Rover specially fitted out for the funeral, William and Harry already occupy a special place in the family procession tightened due to health restrictions. On the same line, behind Prince Charles, his sister Anne then Princes Edward and Andrew, but separated by their cousin Peter Phillips. A choice widely commented on in the British press, which detected a way to prevent William and Harry from talking to each other, but justified by Buckingham Palace as one respecting age and order of protocol.
"William retains his emotions"
"Harry shows some uneasiness and a lot of nervousness at this point," continues Magali Menut. You can see a small bite in the middle of her lower lip, a sign of great emotionality. William is stiffer, more in protocol and perhaps already in his future role, even if we see him clenching his jaws exaggeratedly, a sign that he is under a lot of tension and that he is holding back his emotions. During the ceremony, on the other hand, when they are face to face in the chapel, both are in meditation. Their grief manifests itself in the rapid blinking of the eyes, again a way of holding back emotions and also tears. "
